Rules and Regulations
Cumberland Curling Club follows Curling Canada’s General Rules of Play – updated for 2022-2026 (includes Curler’s Code of Ethics)
Rule change summary from the previous version
Etiquette and House Rules
Curling Etiquette
Curling Etiquette
- The game begins and ends with a customary greeting (“Good Curling”, “Good Game”).
- The leads decide who has hammer by spinning the coin wheel.
- Spares: Curlers sparing for other players should play at the same position as the player they are replacing, or before, unless agreed upon with the opposing team. For example, if a spare replaces a player that usually plays third, the spare should play lead, second or third, but shouldn’t play fourth.
- House: Only skips and thirds may congregate behind the tee line in the receiving house. They should not move or talk loudly while the opposition is preparing to deliver a rock.
- Delivery: When your opponents are preparing for delivery, stand to the side of the sheet, single file and between the hog lines. Move only after the rock has been released.
- All players should keep their voices down while the opposition is preparing to deliver a
rock. This includes the vice and skips in the opposing house. - It is polite to stop moving while a player is throwing.
- It is a courtesy for non-throwing players to remain outside the hog line while the throwing player delivers.
- It is a courtesy for non-throwing players not to congregate behind the opposing player who is holding the broom.
- It is generally encouraged to purchase one’s own broom, gripper, crutch, etc., rather than use club-supplied equipment, wherever possible.
- Sweepers returning to the opposite end should walk single file at the side of the sheet rather than 2 by 2 so as not to block the view of the throwing player.
- Players should walk down the ice on the sides, and not in the middle. This will also keep the ice clean.
- It is polite to delay walking by a sheet until the throwing player has released their rock.
- It is important to both call and furnish the opposing skip with plenty of notice if your team cannot make a game. The club should also be informed so free ice can be reassigned.
- A game can be played with 3 players.
- Curlers should be aware of the time of their draws, and ensure that game play progresses to avoid delaying any following games. Teams should not play slowly to ensure victory.
- Pace of play: To improve pace of play, once the opposing team has delivered their stone, the next player to deliver a stone should get their rock ready and position themselves for their throw in the hack; Leads and seconds should be placing their 3rd and skip’s stones in the hack while the 3rd and skip are discussing the next shot in the house.
- Be ready. Keep the game moving; delays detract from the sport. Be prepared to sweep as soon as your teammate releases the rock.
- After delivering your stone, move to the side of the sheet between the hog lines unless you are the skip. Leads and seconds are not permitted in the house except when sweeping or removing the stones after the count has been determined by the vices.
- Be courteous. Don’t distract your opponent in the hack. Sweepers should stay on the sidelines between the hog lines when not sweeping.
- Place the next curler’s rock in front of the hack to help speed up the game.
- Keep the ice clean. Maintain good condition of brooms, sliders, and grippers. Ensure that the ice, including all of the hacks, is swept after each game. Change your shoes, grippers, and broom heads regularly. The shoes you wear should only be used for curling. Keep them clean.
- Compliment good shots, no matter which team makes them. Respect your opponent.
- Some leagues end the game with the winning team offering to buy a drink for the member in the same position on the opposing team. If you were the recipient of the drink, it is a good idea to return the favour in the second round. While the drinks are poured, the non-winning team is typically cleaning the ice, hacks, etc.
- As Cumberland Curling Club is a volunteer-run establishment, the support and efforts by all members is imperative to the success of every season and off-season. Every bit helps. Thank you!
(some items modified from Ottawa Curling Club, King Curling Club, Cornwall PEI Curling Club)
House Rules: Evening Leagues
House Rules: Evening Leagues
Rescheduled games
- If both teams decide to reschedule a game but are unable to find a common date and time, the game is scored as 2-pt tie for both teams;
- If one team must reschedule but is unable to find a common date and time with the opposing team, the team rescheduling will be given a 1-pt loss, the other team getting a 3-pt win;
Team failing to show up to game
- If one team fails to show up to game without informing other team, that team gets a 0-pt loss, the other team gets 3-pt win;
Standings
- Standings used to qualify for Club Championship are based on point %, not total points. This takes into consideration the uneven number of games played by all teams due to bye weeks;
- Win = 3 points; Tie = 2 points; Loss = 1 point; No-shows = 0 points;
- Point percentage (%) = Total points / (# of scheduled games X 3)
Spares
- Teams who play with more than 2 spares will automatically receive a 1-pt loss, with the other team getting a 3-pt win unless agreed upon with the opposing team;
Time
- All draws except the last draw of the evening: after 1 hour and 50 minutes of gameplay, teams must finish the end and call it a game.
- Last draw of the evening: after 1 hour and 50 minutes of gameplay, teams must finish the end and call it a game, unless agreed upon in advance by both teams.
Footwear Policy (all patrons)
Footwear Policy
In order to reduce the damaging grit, dirt, and debris brought onto the ice:
- All footwear must be brushed off before entering the Club using the boot brush that is located beside the entrance door.
- All boots and shoes are to be removed in the entranceway and placed on the boot rack located on the right side of the large closet.
- Members may bring a pair of shoes, Crocs, or slippers for inside the Club or stay in socks. These "indoor shoes" may be left at the Club during the curling season on the small shelving units that are going into the change areas (take them home over summer please!).
- No outside shoes or boots are permitted ANYWHERE in the club INCLUDING upstairs. If hard-soled or protective footwear is required for a task, please ensure to bring dry/clean ones to the Club with you.
- Curling shoes are not to be worn around the Club (i.e., in place of indoor footwear).
Every bit of dirt that is removed at the front door means less that is tracked around inside the building.
(this applies to all building patrons, including those coming in just to watch).
A bench was installed at the doorway for seating at the entrance; it folds up for space saving.
Per the advice from ice technicians, and curling equipment retailers and manufacturers, also ensure to clean your curling shoes and grippers regularly (warm soapy water or damp cloth). This includes the inside of grippers where friction from the shoe on the rubber creates the particles that fall onto the ice.
Spare Policy
Club's Spare Policy
In order of priority, teams in need of spares should:
(1) Consult the spares list;
(2) Reach out to other members, starting with those that may have a bye week for that league;
(3) Reach out to spares from outside the club. There is a $25 fee to spare, which is paid at the bar. The point-of-sale terminal includes an item for spares.
To Find a Spare
From the "Members Home" menu at the top of the page, select "Find A Spare." Next, choose the league you need a spare for. The list of available spares will be shown, with contact information. You can also email the entire group directly from the website. A gentle reminder that some leagues have restrictions for which positions spares can play.
List Your Sparing Availability
You can also list the leagues you are available to spare. From the "Members Home" menu at the top of the page, select "My Sparing Availability". Here you can select which leagues you can spare in and list the positions you wish to play. A gentle reminder that some leagues have restrictions for which positions spares can play.
Top 10 Most Common Curling Pet Peeves Revealed!
Top 10 Most Commonly Broken Curling Rules
- Only the skip and vice-skip should be behind the house when the opposing team is playing
- Players, other than skip/vice-skip, should remain between the hog lines (or courtesy lines) when the opposition is playing especially at the delivery end
- Other than the person in charge of the house for each team, players should not stand in the house whilst the score is being decided or any measure is taking place. Players should stand behind the back line or beyond the hog line
- Keep hands or knees off the ice; Damage to the ice
- Sweeping motion must be across the running path of the stone: in other words no “snowplowing”
- Sweeping behind the tee line: only the skip or vice-skip of the non-playing team may sweep when the opposing team is playing
- Time-wasting/ready to play
- Measuring: don’t use a brush to measure as risk of moving stone and automatically losing the shot
- Don’t use mobile phones on the ice during a game
- Don’t cross from one side of the sheet to the other in front of the playing team when they are about to deliver or their stone is in motion
(from trycurling.com)
